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Background/Aims: Currently, there is no study evaluating the effect of acotiamide on transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acotiamide on TLESRs using simultaneous high-resolution manometry (HRM) and impedance-pH monitoring. Methods: Ten healthy subjects were enrolled. On day 1, subjects underwent HRM and impedance-pH recordings as a baseline. Subjects ate a 750-kcal liquid meal; recording was continued for 2 h while the subjects were in a sitting position. After the administration of acotiamide 100 mg three times a day for 1 week, subjects underwent HRM and impedance-pH recording under the same protocol. Results: A total of 208 TLESRs were identified at baseline. Acotiamide decreased the total number of TLESRs from 208 to 143 (p < 0.05). The rate of reflux events during TLESRs after acotiamide administration was similar to that at baseline (57% after acotiamide vs. 58% at baseline). Bolus clearance time was significantly reduced by acotiamide. Conclusions: Acotiamide was believed to have the potential for reducing TLESRs and for enhancing esophageal bolus clearance in healthy volunteers. Future research is needed to determine whether the effects of acotiamide that reduce TLESRs and enhance esophageal motility could improve symptoms in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background/Aims: A new classification of achalasia using high-resolution manometry (HRM) has recently been suggested. Pneumatic dilatation (PD) is a common treatment for primary achalasia. The usefulness of the new classification and HRM for the treatment and follow-up of patients after PD is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the PD effectiveness and the predictive factors of success in Japanese patients with achalasia using HRM and the new classification of achalasia. Methods: Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with primary achalasia using HRM and treated by PD in our hospital. We evaluated symptom scores and esophageal manometry 6 and 12 months after the first PD. Results: After the first PD treatment, remission occurred in 24 out of 25 (96.0%) patients at 6 months and in 19 out of 25 (76.0%) patients at 12 months. With the new classification of achalasia, the success rates were 83.3, 80.0 and 50% for types I, II and III, respectively, 12 months after PD. The median age of the successful group was significantly greater than that of the failure group (47.1 vs. 37.0 years, p Conclusion: Good predictors of PD success were old age (>40 years) and residual LES pressures less than 15 mm Hg 6 months after PD.